Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-12-29

glass UfifL nc nau nilett IrOII Il Dnlll con-
ccaicd III his coat-pocket. She readily and
gratefully drank all of its soothing contents
and quickly fell back i'll Il heavy slumber
''Piclk her up. Dick; put her into the car
rage and drive. l will ride Medji.r was the
sharply uttered command. The other did
as ordered; while the valet and seaman set
out on foot to the coast, distant about four
miles.
Fairfax and Oxford made as rapid prog
ress as possible. The storm was about to
break and DID break ere they reached their
destination. But, thanks to the rubber
apron and excellent care of the hitherto
clumsy Richard, even the lovely face and
brow OF the unconscious Princess were wet
by scarcely drop. Fairfax was drenched
to the skin.
The lightning flashed vividly and the
thunder roared SO frightfully that both
Medii and the other horse reared and
plunged i'll terror. Fairfax, ever on the
alert, managed To prevent their running
away, and finally subdued their fright The
darkness would have been intense had it
not been relieved by the continual flashes
of lightning.
Spurred ON by the storm to still greater
action, the excited man galloped forward
with impetuous speed toward the coast.
He had once or twice before been there.
and remembered an old fsh-house that
stood near the shore Hurrying thithcr, he
discovered u dry spot inside, spread out the
blankets, and told Dick TO lay the Princess
upon them. And there she slept quietly and
sweetly, wholly Oblivious TO the war of the
elements and the tumult that WAS raging IN
the hearts of her guilty abductors, who
looked at their victim ana each other with
remOrseful conSciences.
A large, rocky island was situated about
half mile off the shore. In stormy wealth
er this afforded an excellent barrier against
the high seas of the Channel. The two men
continually glanced ont upon the harbor
thus formed, watching for the electric light
of tee ''Namovna." Other vessels were an
chored in the bay, and all displayed lights.
But Fairfax knew that the ''Namovna's"
light would far outShine them all.
The rain meanwhile continued to pour in
torrents: the wind blew with frightful vio-
lence, while the lightning and thunder made
night hideous. They had built little fire
in the nut. It, at least, served 70 dry their
wet garments and to keep the girl from be-
coming chilled. About half-past eight the
valev-who also was familiar with that por
ton of the coast-appeared with the two
scameu. They were soaked to the skin, and
gathered hastily about the fire.
Perhaps ten minutes later, the lights OF
the ''Namovna" cleaned brightly over the
tossing waves. The yacht steamed slowly
around the island. as III feeling her way.
The storm now began to moderate. The
wind finally ceased altogether; and the
thunder sounded moro and more distant.
One by one the stars appeared, and the
moon came up and lit the waters of the sea.
A huge boat was seen approaching. Fair
fax had so accurately described 10 the cap
tain the point where he must touch that the
helmsman steered directly toward the old
fish-house.
Dick and one of the seamen lifted the
sleeping girl. Fairfax arranged il the
stern place where To lay her down, and
the docile Medji was led into the bow of the
boat, which. according to Fairfax's orders,
was the largest the captain could find.
- Goodbye, Dick. Write me. Here's my
address," was all the American said to his
friend. The weight of his offense began to
opprcss him, and he did not dare TO look
Oxford in the face
''Thank you, Roger" added he, slipping
several ive-pound notes into the latter's
hand.
.'Now pull away. captain and the boat
! shot OF over the sparkling pillows towards
the graceful yacht that rode at anchor a
| quarter of a mile from the shore.
In Mortified and helpless silence Oxford
| and his valet stood gazing after it, They
saw the boat reach the ''Namovna," watched
| that vessel swing about, beheld the water
boil behind her stern, and finally viewed
| her disappearing behind the island.
"My God! What have / done!'' said Dick,
as he heaved great sigh and broke the
| silence. lit can't be undone now.''
Roger said he, with scared, white face
and turning to that frightened and trembling
attendant, whatever happens, never
breathe word about this to any mortal
| soul. 1t may cost us our lives
| Master and servant then drove directly
| to Dol, where Roger returned the vehisle
and mare TO their rightful owner, who, ap-
parently, had no suspicion as 70 the part his
property had been playing in a very Ques-
/ tioRable transaction. The EngIishmen then
| took the train TO Paris, arriving there about
nine o'clock the next morning
CHAPTER XII
NOE A TRACE, NY LADY.
| Lady Lydia Was q woman thoroughly dis
| gusted with so-called society men, the ma